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Thom Hulme
Thom Hulme was a member of the Coppell Independent School District in Texas, representing Place 4. Hulme assumed office in 2008. Hulme left office on November 30, 2020.
Hulme ran for re-election to the Coppell Independent School District to represent Place 4 in Texas. Hulme lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Biography
Thom Hulme earned his B.A. in business and psychology from Trinity University. His professional experience includes working a loan consultant with Envoy Mortgage. As of 2020, Hulme was an instructor for Champions School of Real Estate. Hulme and his wife, Kelly, have three children who have attended district schools.[1][2]
Elections
2020
See also: Coppell Independent School District, Texas, elections (2020)
General election
General election for Coppell Independent School District, Place 4
Neena Biswas defeated incumbent Thom Hulme in the general election for Coppell Independent School District, Place 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Neena Biswas (Nonpartisan) | 51.0 | 10,879 |
 | Thom Hulme (Nonpartisan) | 49.0 | 10,440 | |
| Total votes: 21,319 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2017
Two of the seven seats on the Coppell Independent School District board of trustees were up for general election on May 6, 2017. Incumbent Thom Hulme defeated former candidate Ronald Hansen for the Place 4 seat. David Caviness defeated Vara Kuppam for the open Place 5 seat, for which no incumbent filed.[3][4]
Results
| Coppell Independent School District, Place 4 General Election, 3-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Thom Hulme Incumbent |
52.52% | 1,780 |
| Ronald Hansen | 47.48% | 1,609 |
| Total Votes | 3,389 | |
| Source: Dallas County Elections, "2017 Joint Election," accessed September 20, 2017 | ||
Funding
Hulme reported no contributions or expenditures to the Dallas County Elections Office as of May 1, 2017.[5]
2014
Thom Hulme won re-election without opposition in the general election on May 10, 2014.
Results
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Thom Hulme Incumbent |
100% | 1,777 | |
| Total Votes | 1,777 | |||
| Source: Dallas County Elections, "Unofficial Cumulative Results," May 10, 2014 | ||||
Funding
Hulme did not report any campaign contributions or expenditures to the district office.
Endorsements
Hulme did not receive any official endorsements for his campaign.
2011
| Coppell Independent School District, Place 4 General Election, 3-year term, May 14, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Thom Hulme Incumbent |
100% | 2,040 | |
| Total Votes | 2,040 | |||
| Source: Dallas County Elections, "2011 Joint Election," May 19, 2011 | ||||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Thom Hulme did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2017
Hulme participated in the following survey conducted by The Dallas Morning News. The questions provided by The Dallas Morning News appear bolded, and Hulme's responses follow below.
Why are you running for this office, and why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
| “ | I have experience and understand the commitment you have to have as a public servant. This kind of job (and it is a job) requires time and effort. I know that I have a proven track record that I am very proud of. Serving the community is one of the greatest honors I am blessed to receive. Coppell ISD is among the premier districts in Texas and I know how to help in the best way possible to continue to strive for excellence. We don't want to be just a good district.
I would hope that the voters would see that despite some difficult financial times (2007-2010) I have striven to produce the best possible educational environment for their kids. A high standard has been maintained, as the board I have served with, have worked incredibly hard to make sure all students are presented with the opportunity to achieve to their best abilities.[6] |
” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
If elected, what two issues would you give the most attention and resources?
| “ | I see the two most pressing issues are the continued maintenance and adjustment for growth that we are experiencing. It says a lot when developers change commercial land to residential so they can build houses because they realize they can sell them for a premium due to the school district the land is located in. We need to continue to plan and build towards a future that includes more than 12,000 students in our district.
The second issue continues to be funding our school properly and with legislatures continually shrinking the amount we get to educate more students, it just doesn't seem fair. However, we will continue to excel because we have the absolute best people in our district with one goal, and that is to make sure very student has a fair and equal chance to succeed with their life goals through the best education possible.[6] |
” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
For incumbent trustees: What have you learned from your board service that you believe makes you more effective?
| “ | I really appreciate that Texas has a strong school board association that spends time and effort and money to guide us to be good trustees. With more than 300 hours of school board training and literally thousand of hours in the schools and in work sessions and in the school board meetings them selves, I know what it takes to be effective. However, I will say this, without the excellent fellow trustees who I have had the honor to serve with during the past 9 years, WE could not have done what We have accomplished thus far. There is always more to do but I feel that, to a person, we respect each other on the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees and we can work together because each of our common causes is for the betterment of CISD.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
As you look around the country, what innovative ideas would you recommend for improving classroom performance?
| “ | There are literally hundreds of ideas on how to engage students in today's learning environment. It begins from the furniture and physicality of the classroom to styles of learning (project based, flip, IB, etc.). The classroom needs to invite kids in and help them be excited about learning. This is accomplished by also giving our instructors the tools to be successful with great personal development opportunities. A "for instance" is reflected in the Coppell Gifted Association sponsoring nearly every year the largest population of attendees (facilitators) for the TAGT Conference. We need to invest not only in our students but those who work so hard to give our kids a strong sense of direction.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
Given the current funding structure, how does your district meet the academic needs of its low-income students? Are you willing to ask voters to approve a tax increase to create or expand these programs?
| “ | I feel we go the extra mile to make every child feel safe and wanted. I hope we strive to not differentiate (by income) but instead provide the same opportunity for every child. I know on every campus the directors and administration work with staff to identify those who need additional subsidy because of their economic situation. Our community has already invested (via taxation) in the importance of education. There won't be a need to ask voters to help more with that aspect (beyond what they have approved). We as a board are managing our funds and the trust given to us in a fashion that will hopefully always have the highest return. It would be nice if Texas would give back some of the $30,000,000 we are sending them this year through Robin Hood, however, that seems to be a pipe dream. So, we will continue to "make it" with what we are given and do the best possible job with those funds.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
Many districts are exploring creative ways to save money or shift costs to parents and students. What creative measures would you favor or oppose and why?
| “ | This year we have removed the "pay for play" cost for our students who participate in everything from band to athletics. I would like to see if we can get businesses more involved economically. However, I will say the community as a whole, has made substantial investment in Coppell ISD. We see that business commitment with out solar car program and our new programs IBM and Apple sponsored. The list is very extensive and this is only a couple of examples. I am proud to know that we have business who see us as a good partner and our kids as involved learners. Their time and money spent yields very good return.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
The state has adopted an A through F accountability system for district and campuses. Do you favor or oppose this system and why?
| “ | It is a ridiculous system. I really have nothing more to say except if Coppell ISD rates a "C" with regards to college readiness based on the preliminary "report card" we've seen, I think someone in Austin is sorely misguided or misinformed.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
How would you assess the district’s efforts to improve graduation rates and increase the number of students prepared for college? What further improvements would you advocate?
| “ | There is always more that we can do. Even though we have an exceptionally large number of graduates go on for 2 and 4 year degrees. I think it speaks volumes to have a cooperation from North Lake College, which partners with CISD, to encourage our students to take college level classes and get used to what that environment looks like. If that isn't something they want to pursue, then they can make changes sooner rather than later. I would like to see our Career and Technology Education programs expand. When a master electrician or licensed plumber is making $80 and hour, and yet there is a huge shortage of people in that field, we need to have an opportunity open to kids that perhaps can fill the void. Again, our partnership with North Lake is invaluable.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
What schools in your district have been particularly effective in getting every child up to grade level in reading and math?
| “ | All of our schools strive to identify those kids who need help in those subject areas. Every school makes every effort to help kids who need this kind of assistance.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
How would you assess your district’s current school choice efforts, and what changes are needed?
| “ | We have an open campus policy and if you are in CISD you can attend any campus you like as long as the school has capacity. If, however, you are outside that school's alignment, you would have to provide your own transportation. I stress there must be capacity to take (enroll) the child and a willingness for the parent to provide transportation.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
How would you assess your superintendent’s performance?
| “ | Dr. Mike Waldrip was hired to analyze systems and make evaluations where CISD was falling short. He has taken that task to heart and is doing a good job to streamline systems, create accountability, communicate well, facilitate growth and organize curriculum. He has a ways to go, as we all do, but he is working hard on a daily basis and loves our kids. I am proud of him and his efforts.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
Where do you stand on the importance of early-childhood education? Would you support increasing class-size ratios at other grade levels in order to introduce or expand pre-K?
| “ | I'm not a fan of increasing any class sizes. Our Governor has made it a priority for expanding pre-K education and if the state would properly fund the initiative, it would be a great boon for the state of Texas. I would definately stand behind expansion of the pre-K initiative. I don't think our state representatives would take the same approach - but they have final say.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
What resources are lacking in schools in your district? How could the district deliver services in the most cost-effective manner?
| “ | I think we are trying to provide the most cost effective approach possible right now. The budget is something I've been entrusted as a board member to oversee and we go through it each year pretty much line by line in order to make sure we are getting the biggest bang for the taxpayer buck.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
In what ways can your district’s communications with parents be improved? Likewise, how can parental involvement in your district improve?
| “ | I think we strive to make sure every parent has access to more than enough information. We have worked over the last three years to expand our communications section and provide to the public a very good and effective department. We have expanded social media, helped each school with improving understanding of the technology at their fingertips and overall if someone needs information it is there to be found. We strive very hard to have full transparency.[6] | ” |
| —Thom Hulme (2017)[7] | ||
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Coppell Independent School District, "Meet Thom Hulme," accessed February 20, 2014
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email communication with Thom Hulme," October 1, 2020]
- ↑ Coppell Independent School District, "Board Elections 2017," accessed February 17, 2017
- ↑ Dallas County Elections, "Unofficial Cumulative Results," accessed May 6, 2017These election results are unofficial and will be updated after official vote totals are made available.
- ↑ Dallas County Elections, "Campaign Reporting," accessed May 1, 2017
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 Cite error: Invalid
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